Miniature airplane



' IN V EN TOR. Henry C. 60o/marl B Y v mit @ma My ATTORNEYS.

IF IIE H c GQDMAN MINIATURE AIRPLANE Filed Nov. 2, 1932 sept. 19, 1933.

Patented Sept. 19, 1933 l 1,:

MINIATURE AIRPLANE Henry C. Godman, Palo Alto, Calif. Application November 2, 1932. serial No. 640,742

1 Claim.

My invention relates to a bodydstructure simulating a miniature aircraft which is adapted to be mounted on a moving VVehicle such as an automobile, and is adapted to ascend and descend With respect to its mounting.

An object of my invention is to provide a miniature airplane which affords a life-like representa-- tion of a full-sized airplane in llight.

Another object of my Yinvention is to provide a miniature airplane which is capable of a simulation of flight Within restrictedA limits.

Another object of my invention is to provide a relatively simple and cheap object of -this character.

The foregoing and otherA objects are attained in the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawing, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of the miniature airplane of my invention mounted on the radiator cap of an automobile. Y

Figure 2 is a plan of the structure shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross section on a vertical longitudinal plane through the fuselage of my miniature airplane showing the internall construction.

Figure is a cross section, similarto Figure 3, but showing a modied form of interior structure.

Figure 5 is a side elevation similar to Figure 1` but showing a modiiied form of supporting struc-V ture.

In its preferred form the miniature airplane of my invention comprises a body simulating an air craft or other selected vobject and adapted to be movably mounted on a vehicle so that the body simulates the flight ofthe aircraft or object when the vehicle is in motion.

Although the mechanism of my invention canv be embodied in many different` forms and although it preferably represents anV aircraft,-1 have for illustration herein `selected a body 6 which simulates a Well-known form of monoplane. Preferably the body 6 at its forward end v is provided with a propeller '7 4in proper scale and rotatably mounted. The body is likewise passes and is slidable on-a rod 13 which is sube stantially vertical or'upright and at its base isv fastenedV to any suitable support or base such asv the radiator `cap 14 of an automobile 16.' The Y upper end-of the rod 13 is preferably enlarged or zontal.

is provided with a ball 17 or other stop to limit the upward sliding movement of the bodyY 6 With respect thereto, while the support 14 limits down- Ward movement of the body.

With the device as described, when the automobile or other support 16 moves relative to the surrounding air, there is an upward force eX- K erted on the body 6 through the lifting surfaces or VWings 18 which impels the body to rise With respect to its support lll and to lift or slide up- Wardly'on the rod 13 an appropriate amount. The same relative air movement causes rotation of thev propeller 7 to provide an especially lifelike appearance and an accurate simulation, while the'fact that the bushing 12 provides not only a connection for relative sliding between the rod 13 and the body 6, but for relative rotation in a horizontal plane as Well, permits the vagaries Aof the relatively moving air to orient the body 6 into Various positions in a horizontal plane, always with the rod 13 as a center. The movement in a horizontal planeV is particularly indicated in Figure 2, in which the major longitudinal axis of the body 6 is shown as occupying representative positions such as 19 and 26, due to causative, relative-movement of the surrounding air.

While'the rod as shown in Figure kl is eiective to prevent or restrict relative movement between the body 6 and the support 14 in the direction "of movement of the automobile or vehicle 16, it

is sometimes desired toprovide a mechanism in which s uch movement is not entirely precluded and invvhich'the angle of attack of the body 6Y 23, in most respects similar to the rod 13, passes for relative sliding movement, and with regard to which the rod can occupy various inclined positions, sothat the angle of attack of the body v6 can vary in accordance with variations in lifting force.

As another modification, the support 14 can be provided with a rod 26 which, instead of being vertical throughout its entire length, is

formed between its ends with an inclined portion 27,7so that the body 6 when at rest, as indicated by the dotted line 28, is substantially hori- When the body begins to lift and rises on the frod, its angle of attack is changed, as

Vindicated by the -full lines 29. Again, as the body approaches the upper limit of its rising movement, its relationship to the rod causes it rio I claim:

A miniature airplane adapted to be mounted on a vehicle comprising a rod, circular in transverse cross-section, at one end secured to said vehicle and enlarged at its other end, said rod having substantially vertical portions adjacent each of said ends and an inclined portion between said ends, and a body simulating an aircraft slidably andvrotatably mounted on said rod.

HENRY C. GODMAN. 

